52nd MDG shares Avian Influenza information Published April 2, 2007 By 52nd Medical Group SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, GERMANY -- -- What is bird flu (avian influenza)? Bird flu --avian influenza--is an infection caused by avian (bird) influenza (flu) viruses, such as influenza A (H5N1) subtype. Influenza A infection occurs mainly in wild birds worldwide, which carry the viruses in their intestines, but usually do not get sick from them. However, avian influenza is very contagious among birds and can make some domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys, very sick and kill them. Do avian influenza viruses infect humans? Avian influenza viruses do not usually infect humans, but more than 200 confirmed cases of human infection with H5N1 viruses have occurred since 1997. Because of concerns about the potential for more widespread infection in the human population, public health authorities closely monitor outbreaks of human illness associated with avian influenza. The World Health Organization (WHO) maintains situation updates and cumulative reports of human cases of avian influenza A (H5N1). What are the symptoms of avian influenza in humans? Symptoms of avian influenza in humans have ranged from typical human influenza-like symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, and muscle aches to eye infections, pneumonia, severe respiratory diseases such as acute respiratory distress syndrome, and other severe and life-threatening complications. The symptoms of avian influenza may depend on which specific virus subtype and strain caused the infection. Where is avian influenza occurring? The avian influenza A (H5N1) epizootic (animal outbreak) is occurring in parts of Asia, Europe, the Near East, and Africa. Human cases have been reported in some countries. Currently, H5N1 avian influenza has not been reported in the United States. See update on avian influenza in animals from the World Organization for Animal Health website. See the WHO website for the cumulative reports of human cases of avian influenza A (H5N1) and situation updates. Can I get avian influenza from eating or preparing poultry or eggs? You cannot get avian influenza from properly handled and cooked poultry and eggs. Most cases of avian influenza infection in humans have resulted from direct or close contact with infected poultry or surfaces contaminated with secretions and excretions from infected birds. Even if poultry and eggs were to be contaminated with the virus, proper cooking would kill it. Consumers are reminded to follow proper food preparation and handling practices, including: · Cook all poultry and poultry products, including eggs, thoroughly before eating. This means that chicken should be cooked until it reaches a temperature of 180 degrees Fahrenheit, throughout each piece of chicken. · Raw poultry always should be handled hygienically because it can be associated with many infections, including salmonella. Therefore, all utensils and surfaces, including hands, that come in contact with raw poultry should be cleaned carefully with water and soap immediately afterwards. The World Health Organization has developed food safety guidance for the current situation in Asia. This is available at http://www.who.int/foodsafety/micro/avian/en/. Editor's note: This article is from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site. For more information, visit http://www.cdc.gov/index.htm.